Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Please Send Your Good Vibes

Hello all. I have been absent for several days due to a bit of a crisis in my life. I am not usually one to share this kind of thing on my blog, as I created it as a place for me to focus on my creativity and the happier things in my life. However, I know most of you have seen my dog Willow, as I blog about her often.

We found out on Saturday that she has a large mass in her abdomen. Things went from bad to worse over the weekend and we spent a sleepless night with her on Sunday in our apartment as she seemed to have several small seizures. Long story short, we have been in the hospital with her for the past two days trying to figure out exactly what is going on and what the best course of action is for her.

I have never cried so many tears or been so devastated. I love this dog like I never thought possible. We have been on a roller coaster from thinking we need to put her down...to "wait and see"... to surgery and round and round.

As of early this morning, we thought we were going to have to make the decision that no pet owner ever wants to make. As we were struggling with this, we got to take her outside of the hospital for a walk, and some time alone with her to think. She was so alert and happy--it made us re-evaluate our initial gut-decision that we were leaning towards. Based on this, and with the help of the wonderful doctors, we came to the conclusion that the surgery might save her life (for a while) and would not be a painful course of treatment for her.

After we made the decision, we had to wait many hours to get her into surgery. We spent the morning and the afternoon with her sitting outside the hospital on 55th Street. It was such a beautiful spring day so we decided not to waste it in the waiting room.

She laid her big furry body right on top of me.

She even fell asleep for a while right on the sidewalk (in the midst of the flower petals blowing off a nearby tree). I rolled up my sweater as a little pillow under her head.

At first I was unsure about taking pictures, but as I realized what a special day it was going to be, I brought out the iPhone. The afternoon was like a dream. No matter what happens, this day will give me some peace.

As I write this, Willow is just coming out of a successful surgery to have her spleen removed. I am so hoping that she will pull through the surgery, have a good recovery, and spend some quality time with us before we have to make any more difficult decisions. I hope that we have made the right choice. Please send Willow your best healing vibes over the coming days and weeks. I will keep you posted when I have time (and I may not be around commenting much until things settle down).

Please know that my pups and I are sending Willow much love and healing wishes. As I was reading this, I started to tear up because I'm sure I know how much you love her. It's amazing that we become so overwhelmingly attached to our pets. And what a beautiful girl she is! Give Willow hugs and kisses from us and remember that she knows you love her too.

Pets are sooo wonderful but can cause such heartbreak. I'm so sorry to hear that Willow has been not doing well.Hopefully her surgery was a success. Did they say what exactly is wrong with her? Is the mass in her abdomen cancer? I will be thinking of you and Willow. I hope so much that she can still enjoy a quality life. I've looked at her photos previously on your blog and am always struck by how soulful her eyes are. It must just hurt to look into her eyes now. I'm glad that she has owners that care so much about her and are there for her.

I hope she recovers from the surgery soon! My cat might have something similar, but it's too early to tell exactly what it is. I'll take him to the vet for more tests in a month and it's not knowing and waiting that's the worst. I know how hard this is for you, Willow is so lucky to have people that love her and take care of her! I hope you all feel better soon!

i'm heartbroken for you :( i got tears in my eyes for you! i can't imagine what it will be like when we go through something like this with bama, so i feel for you. i'm glad the surgery went well, keep us updated!! big hug to willow.

I got tears in my eyes, too. I'm thinking of you and Willow. I hope she has many healthy and happy years ahead of her, and I know this is such a hard time. Our pets are so important, and I know you're hurting.

Christy, thanks so much for sharing this, and for sharing Willow with us. Dogs (and people) have an amazing ability to keep us in the moment. We've been going through a similar situation with our dear Toby, and he has been defying the odds for a year. Three weeks ago they told us we'd be back in a week, for the "big decision" and we are surprised and delighted by him each moment of each day. My hope for you is that you have many moments and many days, and they'll be filled with love, belly rubs and nose nuzzles. xo

oh.....I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this, and I hope the surgery turns out to be the remedy for what ails Willow. I'm glad you had the dream day, and photos of it. Sending my best and most positive wishes for you all.

Aw hun, my heart aches for you. I know you are both doing what you feel is right for her and Willow appreciates it and will pull through so you can enjoy many more spring days together. I'll keep you all in my thoughts!

I think you made the right choice. When someone in our life is so important I think it's good to try everything you can while Willow is happy with it. You will know when that time comes for hard decisions and there won't be any doubt. Willow knows you both so well she will let you know. I'm sure of this. I worked at a vets for years and had my own Willow in my life. They have a way of letting us know things will be okay to let go at some point. Hopefully with the surgery and some rest time she will pick up her spirits again. I'm so sorry you are all going through this. Kisses to you and Willow. You will both be in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry to hear about Willow. I hope that all turns out well. Sending goodness and health her way! I understand how close and special that a dog can be. Our December was filled with trials like yours.

The photo with you hugging her is a heartbreaker. With the issues we've been having with our dog Sioux (torn acl), I know the worry you must be experiencing. I'm sending you all the good vibes I can muster -- and so is Sioux. Hugs from Nebraska. :)

Oh I have just read your post and I really feel your pain. It's so upsetting when something like that happens to them, they are one of the family. Luckily I have seen your latest post and I know that the outcome is a great one. I am so glad Willow is on the mend xx